APTA: Transit ridership up in 3Q, year-to-date

The American Public Transportation Association says Americans continue to turn to public transit in increasing numbers, totaling 2.7 billion trips in the third quarter, up 1.5% from the comparable period in 2012.

Said APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy, "Public transportation ridership continued to grow across the country in large, medium, and small communities during the third quarter of 2013. This continued demand for public transportation demonstrates the value of public transit to individuals and the communities they live in, no matter their size."

Melaniphy said public transit ridership has increased in nine of the most recent 11 quarters spanning 2011, 2012, and most of 2013.

APTA has expressed concern over the failure by Congress to renew a $245 per month pre-tax set-aside for public transit users in 2014; the amount has fallen to $130, while comparative pre-tax offerings to auto users rose by $5 to $250 as 2014 began.